Quick fastener system for fixing a tool at the end of a loading arm

ABSTRACT

Quick fastener system for fixing a tool at the end of a loading arm. The system includes a first part coupled to the loading arm. The first part includes a cradle and a first aperture. A second part is arranged on the tool. The second part includes an element having a hook-shaped extension and a shaft which is adapted to be engaged by the cradle. A locking member is adapted to engage the hook-shaped extension. The tool is movable by the loading arm when the cradle engages the shaft and when the locking member engages the hook-shaped extension.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage Application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/FR99/02560, filed Oct. 21, 1999. Further, thepresent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of FrenchPatent Application Nos. 98/14185 filed on Nov. 12, 1998 and 99/12671filed on Oct. 12, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a quick fastener and/or a quickfastener system for fixing a tool, such as a bucket, at the end aloading arm, or the like.

In a known fashion, the quick fastener comprises two distinct portions,one of which is affixed to an arm and will be referred to as thecatching member, whereas the other, which can cooperate with one arm, isthe result of a modification of the tool or is constituted by an elementaffixed to the tool, and called hereinafter the “adapter.”

2. Discussion of Background Information

The state of the art can be illustrated by a fastener, described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,836,741, whose catching member has hooks forming a cradlethat is capable of catching a shaft borne by an adapter. By rotating theaforementioned member, bearings borne by the member and bearingsprovided on the tool are positioned so as to coincide, the affixingbeing obtained by axially engaging a shaft in the bearings. Such adevice is not entirely satisfactory, because the operator of theapparatus is forced to step down from his machine. The coupling of thetool to the arm of the machine is therefore not automatic.

The device described in the French Patent No. 2641343 enables anautomatic hooking. To this end, a longitudinally split sheath is used,which, under the action of springs, pivots and closes a cradle borne bythe catching member by confining a shaft borne by the tool. In additionto the complexity of the mechanism, nothing is provided to eliminate thebacklashes inherent in the various elements in contact.

The device described in the European Patent No. 438931 makes it possibleto overcome the disadvantages of the aforementioned devices. Inparticular, it is characterized by the use of rotary cams which areautomatically retracted during the pivoting of the catching member andtake support beneath a locking shaft borne by the tool.

This device is completely automatic and enables the elimination ofbacklashes. However, its cost is high due, in particular, to the timerequired to assemble the various parts constituting the catching memberwhich comprises the aforementioned cams. Moreover, the cams comprisebores that must be machined, and the distance between the axis of thecradle of the cam carrying shaft and that of the locking shaft must beaccurate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for a quick fastener system for fixing a tool atthe end of a loading arm. The system comprises a first part coupled tothe loading arm. The first part comprises a cradle and a first aperture.A second part is arranged on the tool. The second part comprises anelement having a hook-shaped extension and a shaft which is adapted tobe engaged by the cradle. A locking member is adapted to engage thehook-shaped extension. The tool is movable by the loading arm when thecradle engages the shaft and when the locking member engages thehook-shaped extension.

The second part may be immobilized with respect to the first part whenthe cradle engages the shaft and when the locking member engages thehook-shaped extension. The locking member may comprise a plate. Thefirst part may comprise a catching member which has substantially theshape of a bracket. The first aperture may be disposed in a medianportion of the first part and the locking member may be disposed betweenthe median portion and the hook-shaped extension. The second part may beone of fixed to the tool and integral with the tool. The locking membermay be biased to engage the hook-shaped extension. The system mayfurther comprise a guide mechanism for guiding the locking member, andthe locking member may be constantly subject to a force that tends tomove the locking member towards the shaft.

The system may further comprise a second aperture disposed in thelocking member, wherein the second aperture is adapted to besubstantially aligned with the first aperture when the tool is mountedto the loading arm. The system may further comprise a finger adapted toengage the locking member, and the finger may be one of movably mountedand pivotally mounted to the first part.

The finger may comprise a shoulder which is adapted to engage thelocking member in order to maintain the locking member in an armedposition. The finger may comprise an extended portion which is adaptedto be engaged by an abutment disposed on the tool. The abutment may bedisposed on the element and the abutment may engage the finger when thetool is pivoted towards a locked position. The first part may comprisean abutment which is adapted to engage the locking member. The abutmentmay be disposed on an upper surface of a median portion of the firstpart, and the abutment may maintain the locking member in an armedposition against a force which acts to bias the locking member towardsthe hook-shaped extension. The locking member may also be biased towardsthe upper surface of the median portion. The element may comprise ashoulder which is adapted to engage the locking member. The element mayfurther comprise a ramp which is adapted to engage an edge of thelocking member so as to move the locking member away from thehook-shaped extension.

The locking member may be adapted to be moved away from the hook-shapedextension via an unlocking tool. The locking member may comprise twoears which each include a slit which is adapted to be engaged by atleast one finger of the unlocking tool. The at least one finger of theunlocking tool may comprise an engaging pin which is adapted to engagethe slit.

Each of the first part and the second part may comprise engagingsurfaces which are adapted to immobilize the tool with respect to thefirst part. The engaging surfaces may be beveled. The element and thelocking member may each comprise a corresponding tapered engagingsurface.

The invention also provides for a quick fastener system for fixing atool at the end of a loading arm. The system comprises a catching memberpivotally connected to the loading arm and comprising a hook-shapedcradle. An element having a hook-shaped extension is mounted to thetool. A shaft which is adapted to be engaged by the cradle is mounted tothe tool. A locking member is adapted to engage the hook-shapedextension. The loading arm is adapted to pivotally move the tool whenthe cradle engages the shaft and when the locking member engages thehook-shaped extension.

The invention also provides for a quick fastener system for fixing atool at the end of a loading arm. The system comprises a first partmovably mounted to the loading arm. The first part comprises a cradle, abiased movable locking member, and a mechanism for obstructing themovement of the locking member. A second part is coupled on the tool.The second part comprises an element having a hook-shaped extension anda shaft which is adapted to be engaged by the cradle. The tool isnon-movably connected to the first part when the cradle engages theshaft and when the locking member engages the hook-shaped extension.

The present invention, which overcomes these disadvantages, comprises,in a known fashion, a catching member provided with a cradle capable ofbeing mounted on a shaft, affixed to the tool, so that the latter can belifted, and it is characterized in that the catching member, which hassubstantially the shape of a bracket, has on its median portion anaperture that can be crossed by an element having a hook-shapedextension and extending opposite said shaft of the tool, beneath which alocking plate borne by said member can be inserted, maintaining thelatter applied against the tool.

The aforementioned shaft and abutment can be made integral with anadapter fixed on the tool by any usual means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood from the descriptionthat follows, with reference to the annexed drawings, provided by way ofexamples only, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevated view of a quick fastener according to theinvention applied to the fixing of a bucket at the end of the loadingarm;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the catching member;

FIG. 3 is the top view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the adapter;

FIG. 5 is the top view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the fastener of theinvention, showing the first catching step, which is the lifting of thetool;

FIG. 7 is a view, similar to FIG. 6, which shows a subsequent catchingstep;

FIG. 8 is a view, on a larger scale and limited to the fastener, showingthe catching member locked on the adapter;

FIG. 9 is a view, similar to that 8, which shows an alternativeembodiment of the invention, the tool being hooked;

FIG. 10 is a partial view, in vertical cross-section, showing aparticular embodiment of the locking member;

FIG. 11 is the top view of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an elevated view showing an embodiment of a tool that makesit possible to manually disconnect the bucket;

FIG. 13 is the top view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows the use of the tool of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a partial view, in transverse cross-section, showing amechanism which makes it possible to eliminate the backslashes betweenthe two portions of the fastener;

FIG. 16 is a view, similar to that 6, showing another embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a view, similar to that 8, related to the embodiment of FIG.16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a known fashion, the quick fastener comprises two portions 1 and 2. Afirst portion 1, which constitutes a catching member is journalled by ashaft 3 at the end of an arm 4 of a mechanical shovel. This mechanismcan pivot about an axis of the shaft 3 by the conjugated action of twoconnecting rods 5 and 6 which are controlled by a piston rod 7 of aconventional jack. A second portion 2, or adapter, is affixed to a tool8 which may be a bucket, in the example shown. According to anotherembodiment, the mechanism constituting the adapter 2 can be madeintegral with the tool 8.

In its simplest form, the adapter 2 is in the form of a bracket-shapedelement, which is affixed by its median portion to a surface 8 a of thetool 8. Two arms of the bracket or adapter 2 are connected by a shaft 9.The median portion also has an element 10 which extends beyond the sides11. The element 10 has an extension portion 12 which extends in adirection opposite the shaft 9.

In a known fashion, the first portion or catching member 1 has a cradle13 which forms a hook. This arrangement makes it possible to lift thetool 8, when the shaft 9 rests in the cradle 13, as shown in FIG. 8.

According to one embodiment, the catching member 1 has substantially theshape of a bracket having side arms through which the shaft 3 extends.

A median portion 1 a of the member 1 also has an aperture 14 throughwhich the element 10 can extend during the pivoting and/or rotation ofthe member 1 about the axis of the shaft 3.

In the example shown, the upper portion of the element 10 forms anabutment 15 capable, when it meets a pivoting finger 16, of releasing alocking plate 17 which can slide on the median portion of the member 1so as to be inserted beneath the extension 12.

According to one embodiment, a plate 17 has an aperture 18 adapted tosubstantially coincide with aperture 14 when the plate 17 is in the“armed” position, i.e., in the position shown in FIG. 2.

The plate 17 is constantly subject to the action of a force that tendsto move it toward the cradle 13 to seal the aperture 14. In the exampleshown, this force is materialized by two springs schematicallydesignated by the reference numeral 19 (see FIG. 3).

A mechanism is provided to maintain the plate 17 in the armed position.

Thus, the plate 17 can be maintained in the armed position by thelocking and/or pivoting finger 16. As shown in the drawings, the finger16 is journalled at one of its ends above the median portion 1 a, suchthat under the action of its weight, it tends to pivot toward the latter(i.e., clockwise in FIG. 2) and to be maintained in this position. As aprecautionary measure, this action can be reinforced by utilizing aspring (not shown).

The finger 16 has a shouldered portion 20 against which an edgecorresponding to the plate 17 is supported and/or engaged. Finger 16also has an extension portion 21 that extends above the aperture 14.

The operation of the hooking between the first portion 1 and the secondportion 2 will now be explained.

By maneuvering the arm 4 and the piston rod 7, the tool 8 is caught inthe cradle 13 and lifted so as to bring it into the position shown inFIG. 6.

Next, the member 1 is pivoted along the arrow F₁ by extending the pistonrod 7. During this movement, an abutment 15 meets the extension 21 ofthe finger 16 and pushes it back so as to release the plate 17 which,under the action of return springs, is caused to be inserted beneath theextension 12 (FIG. 8). As a result, portion 1 a of the member 1 issupported, by its lower surface, against the sides 11 of the adapter 2.

In the example shown, the extension 12 and the abutment 15 are integralwith the element 10, but these two functions could also be ensured bytwo distinct members.

The plate 17 is guided, as is schematically shown in the drawings, bythe guides 22.

The contact between the extension 12 and the locking plate 17 occurs viasurfaces that are oblique with respect to the moving direction of theplate 17.

As it appears from the drawings, the locking plate 17 is beveled at aright angle with its portion 23 which must be inserted beneath theextension 12. According to one embodiment, this portion forms, togetherwith the lower surface of the plate 17, an angle on the order of 7°. Inthe same manner, the surface 12 a (FIG. 8) of the extension 12, whichmust be in contact with the portion 23, forms an identical angle withthe support surface of the adapter 2 materialized by the edges 11. Inthis way, the catching member is strongly applied against the adapter 2under the effect of the force developed by the springs 19, which tendsto cause the locking plate to penetrate beneath the extension 12.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment which makes it possible to eliminate thelocking finger 16.

Under the action of the force that tends to displace the plate 17, thelatter is applied against an abutment 24 and partially seals theaperture 14.

The extension 12 has a ramp 25 at its end. During the rotation of themember 1, the upper portion of the ramp 25 meets the edge 26 of theaperture 18 of the locking plate 17 and displaces the latter against theforce to which the latter is subject, i.e., in the direction of thearrow F₂. When the aforementioned rotation ceases, the end of theextension 12 is located above the aperture 18, and the plate 17, underthe action of the force to which it is subject, is inserted beneath theextension.

The locking finger 16 can also be replaced by a hydraulic jack (notshown).

In certain cases, a manual unlocking may seem preferable, as will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 10-14.

It is understood that to separate the tool 8, the locking plate 17 mustbe displaced in the direction of the arrow F₂.

To this end, the free end of the plate 17, opposite the shaft 3, has twoears 27 each having a slit 28 which opens toward the shaft 3. Thisarrangement enables the use of a tool 29 (FIG. 12) comprising a handle30 and, at one of its ends, two fingers 31 and 32, finger 31 comprisingtwo diametrically opposed pins 33.

During the introduction of the pins into the slits 28, the lower finger32, which is suitably sized, takes support against the edge of themedian portion 1 a of the member 1.

Therefore, it is understood that by pivoting this handle 30 along thearrow F₃, one drives the plate 17 which moves along the arrow F₂.

The invention also provides a mechanism for opposing the generation ofbacklashes between the portions 1 and 2, and to eliminate the same ifthey are produced.

According to one embodiment, the adapter 2 has two sides 34 (see FIG.15) which extend perpendicularly to shaft 9, and whose edges 35 aremachined so as to form a V. The median portion 1 a of the catchingmember 1 comprises a plate 36 whose edges 37 are beveled so as to form aV. Accordingly, it is understood that when the two portions 1 and 2 areassembled, portion 1 is immobilized transversely with respect to portion2, and vice versa as a result of this design, i.e., the resultingcontact between edges 35 and 37.

Naturally, the necessary machinings required to obtain the edges 35 and37 can be carried out directly on the edges 11 of the adapter 2 and onthose of the median portion 1 a of the member 1.

Another embodiment is provided which makes it possible to maintain theplate 17 in the armed position, which is described with reference toFIGS. 16 and 17.

According to the invention, the median portion 1 a has, on the surfaceagainst which the locking plate 17 takes support, a small abutment 38against which the end 17 a of the plate 17 is applied under the effectof the springs 19 when the apertures 14 and 18 substantially coincide.

It must be noted that in this embodiment, the springs 19 also functionto force the plate 17 against portion 1 a, and that only the pair ofguides 22 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 are required. A substantial clearanceexists between the guides 22 and the upper portion of the plate 17.

The upper portion of the element 10 opposite the extension 12 has ashoulder 39.

When, from the position shown in FIG. 16, the element 1 pivots along thearrow F₁, the end 17 a of the locking plate meets the shoulder 39, whichcauses it to be lifted. In fact, the plate 17 pivots slightly clockwiseby taking support against the edge of the portion 1 a, and by camberingeach spring 19 in the plane of its longitudinal axis. As a result, theend 17 a passes above the abutment 38 and, under the action of springs19, which slacken, the plate 17 occupies the position shown in FIG. 17.

To facilitate the passage of the plate 17 from the position shown inFIG. 17 to that shown in FIG. 16, the abutment 38 has a ramp 38 b at therear of its support surface 38 a.

The assembly of the manual mechanism/tool 29 for unlocking the device,which is described with reference to FIGS. 10-14, can be used withrespect to the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17, it being noted that inthis case, the finger 31 is journalled on the handle 30.

What is claimed is:
 1. A quick fastener system for fixing a tool at theend of a loading arm, the system comprising: a first part coupled to theloading arm; the first part comprising a cradle and a first aperture; asecond part arranged on the tool; the second part comprising an elementhaving a hook-shaped extension and a shaft which is adapted to beengaged by the cradle; the hook-shaped extension having an engagingsurface; a locking plate adapted to engage the hook-shaped extension;the locking plate having an engaging surface and an aperture whichreceives the hook-shaped extension; the engaging surface of the lockingplate engaging the engaging surface of the hook-shaped extension whilethe hook-shaped extension protrudes through the first aperture and theaperture of the locking plate; and a mechanism for biasing the lockingplate towards a position in which the engaging surface of the lockingplate engages the engaging surface of the hook-shaped extension, whereinthe tool is movable by the loading arm when the cradle engages the shaftand when the locking plate engages the hook-shaped extension, andwherein the locking plate moves towards the cradle when the lockingplate engages the hook-shaped extension.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the second part is immobilized with respect to the first partwhen the cradle engages the shaft and when the locking plate engages thehook-shaped extension.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first partcomprises a catching member which has substantially the shape of abracket.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first aperture isdisposed in a median portion of the first part and wherein the lockingplate is disposed between the median portion and the hook-shapedextension.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second part is one offixed to the tool and integral with the tool.
 6. The system of claim 1,further comprising a guide mechanism for guiding the locking plate,wherein the locking plate is constantly subjected to a force that tendsto move the locking plate towards the shaft.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the aperture of the locking plate is adapted to be substantiallyaligned with the first aperture when the tool is mounted to the loadingarm.
 8. A quick fastener system for fixing a tool at the end of aloading arm, the system comprising: a first part coupled to the loadingarm; the first part comprising a cradle and a first aperture; a secondpart arranged on the tool; the second part comprising an element havinga hook-shaped extension and a shaft which is adapted to be engaged bythe cradle; and a locking member adapted to engage the hook-shapedextension, wherein the tool is movable by the loading arm when thecradle engages the shaft and when the locking member engages thehook-shaped extension, and wherein the locking member moves towards thecradle when the locking member engages the hook-shaped extension, andfurther comprising a finger adapted to engage the locking member,wherein the finger is one of movably mounted and pivotally mounted tothe first part.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the finger comprises ashoulder which is adapted to engage the locking plate in order tomaintain the locking plate in an armed position.
 10. The system of claim9, wherein the finger comprises an extended portion which is adapted tobe engaged by an abutment disposed on the tool.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the abutment is disposed on the element and wherein theabutment engages the finger when the tool is pivoted towards a lockedposition.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first part comprises anabutment which is adapted to engage the locking plate.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the abutment is disposed on an upper surface of amedian portion of the first part, and wherein the abutment maintains thelocking plate in an armed position against a force which acts to biasthe locking plate towards the hook-shaped extension.
 14. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the locking plate is biased towards the upper surfaceof the median portion.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the elementcomprises a shoulder which is adapted to engage the locking plate. 16.The system of claim 15, wherein the element further comprises a rampwhich is adapted to engage an edge of the locking plate so as to movethe locking plate away from the hook-shaped extension.
 17. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the locking plate is adapted to be moved away from thehook-shaped extension via an unlocking tool.
 18. A quick fastener systemfor fixing a tool at the end of a loading arm, the system comprising: afirst part coupled to the loading arm; the first part comprising acradle and a first aperture; a second part arranged on the tool; thesecond part comprising an element having a hook-shaped extension and ashaft which is adapted to be engaged by the cradle; and a locking memberadapted to engage the hook-shaped extension, wherein the tool is movableby the loading arm when the cradle engages the shaft and when thelocking member engages the hook-shaped extension, wherein the lockingmember is adapted to be moved away from the hook-shaped extension via anunlocking tool, and wherein the locking member comprises two ears whicheach include a slit which is adapted to be engaged by at least onefinger of the unlocking tool.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the atleast one finger of the unlocking tool comprises an engaging pin whichis adapted to engage the slit.
 20. The system of claim 1, wherein eachof the first part and the second part comprises engaging surfaces whichare adapted to immobilize the tool with respect to the first part. 21.The system of claim 20, wherein the engaging surfaces are beveled. 22.The system of claim 1, wherein the element and the locking plate eachcomprise a corresponding tapered engaging surface.
 23. A quick fastenersystem for fixing a tool at the end of a loading arm, the systemcomprising: a catching member pivotally connected to the loading arm andcomprising a hook-shaped cradle; an element having a hook-shapedextension mounted to the tool; a shaft which is adapted to be engaged bythe cradle mounted to the tool; and a locking plate adapted to engagethe hook-shaped extension; the hook-shaped extension having an engagingsurface; the locking plate having an engaging surface and an aperturewhich receives the hook-shaped extension; the engaging surface of thelocking plate engaging the engaging surface of the hook-shaped extensionwhile the hook-shaped extension protrudes through the aperture of thelocking plate; and a mechanism for biasing the locking plate towards aposition in which the engaging surface of the locking plate engages theengaging surface of the hook-shaped extension, wherein the loading armis adapted to pivotally move the tool when the cradle engages the shaftand when the locking plate engages the hook-shaped extension, andwherein the locking plate moves towards the cradle when the lockingplate engages the hook-shaped extension.
 24. A quick fastener system forfixing a tool at the end of a loading arm, the system comprising: afirst part movably mounted to the loading arm; the first part comprisinga cradle, a biased movable locking plate, and a mechanism forobstructing the movement of the locking plate; a second part coupled onthe tool; and the second part comprising an element having a hook-shapedextension and a shaft which is adapted to be engaged by the cradle; thehook-shaped extension having an engaging surface; the locking platehaving an engaging surface and an aperture which receives thehook-shaped extension; the engaging surface of the locking plateengaging the engaging surface of the hook-shaped extension while thehook-shaped extension protrudes through the aperture of the lockingplate; and the locking plate being biased towards a position in whichthe engaging surface of the locking plate engages the engaging surfaceof the hook-shaped extension, wherein the tool is non-movably connectedto the first part when the cradle engages the shaft and when the lockingplate engages the hook-shaped extension, and wherein the locking platemoves towards the cradle when the locking plate engages the hook-shapedextension.